Francisco.
Nos. 4 and 5 are by Francia Bigio, and were done during Andrea's
absence in France, showing that he had so far learned from his friend
as almost to rival him in power. The subjects, although not scriptural,
are conjecturally true.
In the _Zacharias blessing John before he goes to the Desert_, the
sitting figure of S. Elizabeth and the kneeling one of the child are
very lovely; the action of Zacharias is not so well defined, the great
force in the uplifted arm betokens anger more than blessing. The
grouping follows the lines of a flight of steps in the background, and
is triangular.
The same form of composition is apparent in the next group (No. 5),
only the lines form an angle receding from the one just mentioned. The
Virgin is charmingly posed and draped, the children less pleasing.
This elegant little cloister is a true shrine of art, although the
frescoes are all in monochrome. So much were they admired at the time,
that an order was issued prohibiting artists to copy them without the
permission of Duke Cosimo. Cardinal Carlo de' Medici had them covered
with curtains, [Footnote: Richa, _Delle Chiese_] but, in spite of
care, they are very much injured, the under parts almost lost.
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